Best Youth Sports Grants in Michigan

Our Story

The IBMA Foundation was created by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2007 with a bequest from the Richard Barnhart estate. Mr. Barnhart was a musician from northern Virginia who loved bluegrass and wanted to support educational programs for children. Since the beginning, our goal has been to support bluegrass-music-related educational, literary, artistic and historic preservation activities.

In our early years we produced Discover Bluegrass, an educational video that has been used in thousands of classrooms and libraries around the world. We have hosted dozens of teacher workshops and artist trainings. We created a bluegrass lesson plan competition and provided a network for leaders of after-school bluegrass programs.

Our project grants, which now total $25,000 a year, support bluegrass-related initiatives throughout the world. We also fund Bluegrass in the Schools Mini-grants ($7,000/year) which help schools to hire bluegrass bands for school programs. The Rosenberg Bluegrass Scholar Award recognizes excellence in academic research. Six college scholarships are granted for students working in various areas of the bluegrass music industry. The Arnold Shultz Fund supports increased participation of people of color in bluegrass music with grants that total $30,000/ year. Fletcher Bright Memorial Grants for Young Musicians (age 18 and younger) help young people go to bluegrass music camps and workshops, take lessons, and purchase educational materials. 

Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund

The Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund was initially financed by friend and colleague, Susie Stephenson. The fund is an option for donors who want to help young people experience and learn to play bluegrass music. Instead of funding a specific scholarship or grant, the Breen Fund will be used by the IBMA Foundation where needed most, in a variety of ways that benefit individuals age 21 and younger. Based in Chicago, Illinois, Bill was an Associate Professor and Professor of Finance at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University from 1971-2002, going on to serve as Chairman of the Finance Department and Head of Doctoral Studies for the Kellogg School. In addition to playing the banjo, Bill was an avid sailor and fly fisherman, and he never met a dog he didn’t like. His friends and family say it’s fitting that a man so passionate about the banjo, bluegrass music, and education is memorialize with a bluegrass youth education fund.

The Arnold Shultz Fund, established by the IBMA Foundation, aims to enhance diversity in bluegrass music by providing $30,000 annually in grants. This initiative supports individuals, schools, and organizations dedicated to inclusivity, particularly among underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. The fund honors Arnold Shultz, a pivotal African American musician who mentored Bill Monroe, and continues his legacy by funding educational opportunities for young musicians and promoting bluegrass music in diverse communities.

The ABC Law Centers: Disability Advocacy Scholarship, offered by ABC Law Centers, provides a $1,000 scholarship annually to students pursuing law or public policy careers focused on disability advocacy. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. higher education institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0. This initiative aligns with the firm's mission to support families affected by birth injuries, ensuring that future advocates are equipped to address the legal needs of individuals with disabilities.

The ABC Law Centers: Birth Injury Lawyers Cerebral Palsy Scholarship awards $1,000 annually to a deserving student with cerebral palsy. This scholarship aims to raise awareness about cerebral palsy and celebrate the accomplishments of individuals affected by it. Applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. higher education institution and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The scholarship reflects ABC Law Centers' commitment to supporting those impacted by birth injuries and ensuring their futures are secure.

Honda’s Community Event Sponsorship aims to support local, regional, and national events that enhance community engagement and celebrate diverse cultures. Organizations must be U.S.-based and tax-exempt, focusing on projects that serve communities where Honda associates are active. Eligible events include parades, festivals, and educational initiatives. Honda evaluates requests based on community needs and available funding, reinforcing its commitment to social responsibility and community enhancement.

The Tommy Wilson Memorial Grant, established by Dr. George T. Wilson and his wife Irene, honors their son Tommy, who had cerebral palsy. This grant supports recreational programs for individuals with disabilities and aims to positively impact their lives. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations with a successful history of programming for individuals with disabilities. The grant prioritizes programs serving economically disadvantaged individuals and may only fund applicants once every five years.

The Thomas L. McKenzie Research Award, offered by SHAPE America, supports emerging researchers in physical education and public health. With a funding pool exceeding $600,000 since 1997, it provides annual awards of up to $2,000 to graduate students and early career professionals (within 4 years of graduation) who are members of SHAPE America. The focus is on behavioral research related to physical activity, particularly in natural environments, contributing to disease prevention and promoting overall health.

The SHAPE America: Research Fellow Program recognizes dedicated members for their significant contributions to health and physical education scholarship. Nominees must demonstrate excellence through impactful research, including a minimum of 10 peer-reviewed articles and participation in SHAPE America conventions. This prestigious designation promotes ongoing scholarship and encourages engagement within the diverse community of health and physical educators, enhancing professional practice and advancing the mission of SHAPE America.

The Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship is awarded annually by SHAPE America to honor outstanding undergraduate and graduate students in health and physical education. Established in 1995, this scholarship supports three undergraduate and two graduate recipients. Candidates must be SHAPE America members, majoring in relevant fields, and demonstrate academic excellence and leadership. In addition to financial support, recipients receive a three-year membership to SHAPE America, fostering a commitment to health education and physical activity.

The Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship, established by SHAPE America, honors outstanding graduate students in health and physical education. Awarded annually since 1995, it recognizes two graduate recipients based on academic excellence and leadership. Along with financial support, winners receive a three-year SHAPE America membership, enhancing their professional network. This scholarship underscores the organization's commitment to advancing health education and supporting future leaders in the field.

This grant aims to address drug shortages by exploring the landscape of products susceptible to health fraud and finding ways for outsourcing facilities to fulfill these needs. By funding research and development, the initiative seeks to enhance the production of critical medications, thereby stabilizing the drug supply chain and protecting public health from fraud-related risks.

This grant aims to enhance cooperation and regulatory standards among animal food safety programs by funding national feed associations. It promotes inter-agency collaboration, strengthens state regulatory frameworks, and supports the Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS). By leveraging resources and aligning with federal and state initiatives, the program seeks to improve animal food safety and ensure comprehensive surveillance and protection.

The Bill Kane Undergraduate Scholarship, awarded by SHAPE America, provides $1,000 annually to undergraduate students majoring in school-based health education at accredited institutions in the U.S. or territories. Eligible candidates must be full-time students with a GPA of at least 3.25. Alongside the scholarship, recipients receive a complimentary one-year membership with SHAPE America, promoting professional development in health and physical education.

The Barbara A. Cooley Master’s Scholarship, offered by SHAPE America, is a $1,000 annual award for master's level students enrolled in accredited health education programs in the U.S. Recipients can use the funds as they wish and receive a complimentary one-year student membership with SHAPE America. The scholarship aims to support future educators and enhance the quality of health education, promoting research and professional practice in the field.

The Zyne Family Foundation Grant aims to enhance and support Catholic faith-based organizations and other 501(c)(3) nonprofits dedicated to education, medical research, and family values. The foundation's mission focuses on making a direct impact on individuals' daily lives, ensuring that these initiatives can thrive both now and in the future, promoting community well-being and development.

The SHAPE America: Mentor of the Year Award recognizes an exemplary role model committed to fostering student engagement in professional activities. Candidates must have a minimum of three years of membership in SHAPE America and serve as full-time faculty at a higher education institution. This award emphasizes mentorship through professional behavior, involvement in student projects, and providing academic guidance, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their future careers.

The Western Michigan University Dames Endowed Scholarship, established in 1997, provides financial support up to $500 for eligible graduate students. This competitive scholarship aims to assist exceptional candidates who have demonstrated financial need and have completed at least 15 graduate credit hours while maintaining good academic standing. Applicants with no graduate appointment support are preferred, and recipients cannot hold certain other awards. This scholarship is an excellent opportunity for deserving students to alleviate educational costs.

The WMU Graduate College Patricia Lee Thompson Dissertation Award provides financial assistance to graduate students nearing the completion of their dissertation. It is intended for students who have confirmed candidacy, ensuring they have met all program requirements except for the dissertation itself. Applicants are encouraged to apply for multiple fellowships but cannot hold more than one concurrently. This grant supports the timely completion of doctoral research at Western Michigan University.

The WMU Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Scholarship offers $10,000 ($5,000 per year for two years) to domestic students transferring from a community college with a GPA of 3.75 or higher and at least 24 completed credit hours. Applicants must be inducted members of Phi Theta Kappa. No additional application is necessary for consideration. However, students who have previously attended WMU as degree-seeking students are ineligible for this scholarship.

The Michael Goodwin Scholarship at WMU Lee Honors College supports incoming first-year or transfer students with financial need. Eligible candidates must be accepted into the college and can apply the award to tuition and fees. The scholarship is non-renewable, but students may reapply up to two times if funds are available. Selection is at the discretion of the scholarship committee, ensuring support for deserving students pursuing their education in a prestigious honors program.

The WMU Graduate College Thurgood Marshall Fellowships support students admitted to master's or doctoral programs at Western Michigan University. Applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and register for a minimum of six credit hours each semester. The fellowships provide stipends and tuition scholarships, with specific conditions for master’s and doctoral levels, including work as graduate assistants or doctoral associates. This program honors the legacy of Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American justice of the U.S.

The Stapleton-Reinhold Scholarship, offered by Western Michigan University, provides $1,000 to qualifying undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in accelerated graduate degree programs. This scholarship is exclusively for first-generation college students and is awarded annually based on competitive nominations. Eligible applicants must ensure their programs qualify as accelerated. This opportunity aims to support and empower students pursuing higher education.

The WMU Graduate College Dissertation Completion Fellowship supports full-time doctoral candidates at Western Michigan University nearing graduation. Awarded based on scholarly achievement, this fellowship assists students in completing their dissertations over one year, covering two semesters. Applicants must demonstrate superior academic performance and meet candidacy requirements. Note that concurrent fellowships are not permitted, ensuring focused support for dissertation completion.

The WMU College of Arts and Sciences offers the Climate Change Graduate Research Scholarship to support graduate students conducting research on the environmental impacts of climate change. Funded by an anonymous donor, this scholarship requires recipients to present their findings to the Climate Change Working Group within a year of receiving the award. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in graduate programs, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, and adhere to specific guidelines regarding funding and presentations.

The WMU College of Arts and Sciences offers the Accelerated Graduate Degree Program (AGDP) Fellowship Grant to support graduate students enrolled in AGDP programs. This one-year fellowship includes a full-time teaching assistantship, providing financial assistance through a stipend and tuition support. Students must be nominated, maintain good academic standing, and be eligible for a teaching assistantship during their fellowship year. This initiative aims to encourage enrollment in CAS AGDP programs.

The WMU Bronco Recognition Award offers a $6,000 scholarship ($1,500 per year for four years) to first-year students with a minimum 3.00 GPA. As a recognized institution by TIME and Statista, Western Michigan University provides an accessible education without requiring ACT or SAT scores for 2025 applicants. Scholarships are based on academic qualifications submitted during the application process, ensuring a commitment to supporting aspiring leaders.

The WMU Bronco Promise Program provides financial support for first-year Michigan residents, covering flat-rate tuition and mandatory fees for up to four years. This program is designed for students demonstrating financial need, with awards available for 12-15 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. No application is needed, but FAFSA verification is required by July 1. It ensures that eligible students can focus on their education without the burden of unmet tuition costs.